DANA POINT, Calif. – The Yankees and Mets have both expressed interest in free agent Kazuhiro Sasaki, who is considered the Mariano Rivera of Japan and whom Bobby Valentine said could step in and close in the ma-jors right now “no doubt.”

The other team considered the strongest pursuer of Sasaki is the Mariners. The Mets also are the front-runner to land starter Sataura Kamiyama, according to Tony Attanasio, the agent for both Japanese pitchers.

Attanasio said eight clubs have expressed interest in Sasaki. Because Sasaki had bone chips removed from his elbow last season, Attanasio plans to hold three closed workouts for teams. One of them is scheduled next week at the Yankees’ minor-league facility in Tampa. Attanasio was not sure if the Mets would be involved in a workout, but GM Steve Phillips said “our interest would lead us to see him throw.”

Because they have Rivera, the Yanks seem a strange inclusion in this pursuit. But Attanasio said “I assume they are serious because they are going to all this trouble to watch him.” The Yankee history is always to go after the best international players that become available and their philosophy is to keep building up a pitching surplus.

It is possible the Yankees could view Sasaki as insurance against an injury to Rivera and/or insurance should Rivera’s price become so exorbitant the Yankees decide they must trade the sport’s best closer. The Yankees also could use Sasaki as a set-up man and have Jeff Nelson to use in a trade.

The Mets already have a delicate closer situation with Armando Benitez and John Franco present. Franco has indicated he wants to close or perhaps be traded elsewhere. Benitez is one of the Mets’ most asked-for players. It is possible that the acquisition of Sasaki could allow the Mets to trade one or both players.

Executives at these GM Meetings estimate Sasaki will command a four-year contract in the $12 million-$16 million range

Sasaki is the best closer in Japanese baseball history. In the past, Valentine has called him the best in the world. He did not want to go that far yesterday, but did compare his fastball/forkball repertoire to one-time elite closer Bryan Harvey.

“There is no doubt in my mind he can close here,” Valentine said. “He has two dominating pitches with control.”

One major league executive said, “He can pitch late in a game and, if his stuff translates well, close.”

Sasaki is a 6-foot-3 righty who will turn 32 before next season. In his career, he has saved 229 games, emerging as a force for the Yokohama Bay Stars. In 1998, he saved 45 games, had an ERA of 0.64 and walked just 14 and struck out 78 in 56 innings. Last season, he had bone chips removed from his elbow, but still had 19 saves, a 1.93 ERA and just six walks and 34 strikeouts in 231/3 innings.

Kamiyama is not nearly as dominant. He is 34 and has just an 87-112 record in Japan and the Mets think he projects as no better than a swing starter/long man in the majors. But Kamiyama did have his best season in 1995 (11-4, 2.60 ERA) when his Chiba Lotte manager was Valentine.

Attanasio said the Mets are Kamiyama’s first choice because “he has a strong affinity for Bobby and the Mets. He would prefer to pitch for the Mets. If it is at all possible, I would like to make that work out.”